Benefit raised funds for substance abuse prevention while spotlighting importance of family time
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – The 24th Annual Hanley Foundation Family Picnic was full of sunny skies, burgers and fries on Sunday, March 10, when more than 200 Hanley Foundation supporters attended the annual event which raised funds for research-based prevention programs in public and private schools, including many schools in Palm Beach County. The National Croquet Center served as the backdrop for the third year in a row for the long-standing benefit. The 2019 Co-Chairs included Kelly and Joe Rooney and Nika and Mark Ciarfella, with long-time supporters and past Chairs Kai Li Fouts and Chris Jette serving as Honorary Chairs.
During the afternoon, families enjoyed lunch on the Croquet Center’s terrace with tables decorated with brightly colored gingham tablecloths and baskets filled with lemons, limes and oranges. The day was filled with endless activities including a bounce house, a “teen zone” with life-size Jenga and other lawn activities, a kid’s musician, face painter, balloon artist, photo booth and an up close and personal experience with animals from the Palm Beach Zoo, including an African Pygmy Hedgehog, a Great Horned Owl, a macaw and a skink.
“At Hanley Foundation, we know that the best thing we can do to help keep our children safe from drugs and alcohol, is to spend time with them,” said Turner Benoit, Chief Development Officer for Hanley Foundation. “Our main focus in prevention is to reduce underage drinking and to delay the age of first use. The goal is to stop addiction before it even starts. We know that prevention works and appreciate all of your support today at Family Picnic. And a special thank you to Kelly and Joe Rooney and Nika and Mark Ciarfella for their leadership this year.”
The luncheon also included a one-of-a-kind silent auction for children only, where kids got their chance to bid on fun items exclusively for them. There was also an adult silent auction that included jewelry, sports memorabilia, tickets to local attractions and many more items. The afternoon ended with an ice-cream sundae bar for dessert.
The Family Picnic committee included Lyanne Azqueta, Abigail Beebe, CJ Benoit, Tory and Mike Casey, Michelle and Bob Diffenderfer, Rachel and Steve Docekal, Linda and Mike Hanley, Sabra Kirkpatrick, Kim Koslow, Fran Marcone and David Werner, Buck Martinez, Taylor and James Schneider, Tracy Walker Smith and Krissy Webb.
Sponsors included Florida Crystals, Hanley Family Foundation, The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, Sunny and Abe Rosenberg Foundation, Amy and Drew Rothermel, SBA Communications, Kelly and Joseph Rooney, Voyage Recovery Center, Sarah Cortvriend, Kai Li Fouts Jette and Christopher R. Jette, Futures Recovery Healthcare, Toshiba Business Solutions, C.J. and Turner Benoit, Jan Cairnes, Rachel and Steve Docekal, Sam Fisch Development, Brian Flanagan, Florida Power & Light, Jin Young and Drew Hanley, Charlene and Richard Johnson, Kelly and Brian Kirkpatrick, Michael and Maria Kugler on behalf of Searcy Denney, Palm Beach Kennel Club, Kristen Ray, Micah Ford, Taylor and James Schneider, Victoria Willard, Julie Araskog, Banyan Treatment Center, Laura Fuller, Nancy Hooker, C. Orrico, Josephine Alexander, Jupiter Medical Center, Integrity Billing, Lilly Pulitzer, Origins Behavioral HealthCare and Palm Beach Society Magazine.
For more information about Hanley Foundation, local prevention programming or future fundraising events, please visit www.hanleyfoundation.org, email Pam@hanleyfoundation.org or call 561-268-2355.
